Level A protection should be used until monitoring results confirm the contaminant and the concentration of the contaminant.

GENERAL INFORMATION: First Responders should use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering an area with an unknown contaminant or when entering an area where the concentration of the contaminant is unknown.

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: Hydrogen cyanide (AC) can affect the body by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or eye contact.

If hydrogen cyanide (AC) is released as a gas, it is highly unlikely to contaminate agricultural products.

Agricultural: If hydrogen cyanide (AC) is released into the air as a liquid spray (aerosol), it has the potential to contaminate agricultural products.

Outdoor Air: Hydrogen cyanide (AC) can be released into outdoor air as a liquid spray (aerosol) or as a gas.

Food: Hydrogen cyanide (AC) can be used to contaminate food.

Water: Hydrogen cyanide (AC) can be used to contaminate water.

Indoor Air: Hydrogen cyanide (AC) can be released into indoor air as a liquid spray (aerosol) or as a gas.

It also has a bitter burning taste and is often used as a solution in water.

Hydrogen cyanide (AC) gas has a distinctive bitter almond odor (others describe a musty “old sneakers smell”), but a large proportion of people cannot detect it the odor does not provide adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. It is used commercially for fumigation, electroplating, mining, chemical synthesis, and the production of synthetic fibers, plastics, dyes, and pesticides. Hydrogen cyanide (AC) is a chemical warfare agent (military designation, AC). It has whole-body (systemic) effects, particularly affecting those organ systems most sensitive to low oxygen levels: the central nervous system (brain), the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels), and the pulmonary system (lungs). Exposure to hydrogen cyanide (AC) can be rapidly fatal.

It interferes with the normal use of oxygen by nearly every organ of the body. DESCRIPTION: Hydrogen cyanide (AC) is a systemic chemical asphyxiant.APPEARANCE: Colorless or pale blue liquid below 78☏ (25.6☌), colorless gas above 78☏ (25.6☌).

Cyanide poisoning antidote kit